Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 3 April 2025

Signing Off For The Season!   

This is the last Lower North Lowdown fishing report for the season. 

Unfortunately the weather forecast isn't the best for this weekend but remember you can fish through 'til the end of April so there's still ample opportunity to get out when the rivers clear.             

Pictured - Guy Gardiner had some great success fishing in the Waimarino district recently (Photo: Dave Arnst).

And from May through to the new season in October there is still plenty of water available for winter angling too - check your local regulations booklet here to see what fisheries remain open. 

Winter fishing licences are now available. If you haven't yet made it out this season, or want to take a mate out, jump online and grab a Winter, Short Break or Long Break licence. 

Don't forget to check out the winner of this year's photo comp below.

Thanks for your support - we trust you've had a great season and we look forward to seeing you on the water in 2025-26.    

Here's the outlook this weekend...    

 

Hutt Valley

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Hutt Valley.

The Hutt River is reportedly running at a trickle this morning but that will all change over the next 12 to 24 hours with an orange heavy rain warning issued by Metservice. The weather pushes through on Saturday but it'll likely be early next week before they're clear enough to get back on the water. Stay home and tie some flies!          

The Hutt River at Totara Park yesterday afternoon (Photo: Hamish Carnachan)

 

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Kapiti Coast. 

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau river flows are low to moderately low but running clean and clear this morning. However, the orange heavy rain warning for the Tararua Range means rivers and streams in the area could rise rapidly.   

The Otaki River at SH1 this morning (Credit: Phil Teal).  

 

Wairarapa

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Wairarapa region.

The Ruamahanga River and main tributaries - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - are very low and clear at time of writing this morning but will come up as the weather moves in. The heavy rain warning is for the Tararua Range so there's a chance the smaller rivers draining the eastern hills might be fishable after the front moves through. Take care and check the flows before heading out.       

Check out the latest conditions for the lower Ruamahanga by calling this free-phone number - 083229069.             

The Ruamahanga River at The Cliffs this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Manawatu region.

Slate grey skies across the region portend the arrival of some bad weather. The Manawatu, Pohangina, Oroua and Mangatainoka are all low and clear but the window of opportunity to get out for a fish is pretty slim with rain arriving this afternoon, turning heavy overnight. The water could be high and coloured for several days.                

The Manawatu River at Weber Road this morning (Photo: Horizons).

Rangitikei

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Rangitikei region.

The Rangitikei is looking stunning this morning - clear emerald green and super fishy. Similarly the Hautapu River looks great for a flick. An orange heavy rain warning for Tongariro National Park will, unfortunately, put the kybosh on angling for the weekend when the weather arrives later today. With a reasonable forecast for the weekend, early next week the fishing could be back on.   The Rangitikei River at Mangaweka this morning (Photo: Horizons).           
 

Taranaki Ringplain

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Taranaki Ringplain region.

Some moderate to heavy rainfall is finally in the forecast for Taranaki and the Waimarino – here’s hoping it provides a decent freshen up for streams and rivers but also doesn’t cause any headwater erosion events in the Stony and Waiaua, which have had settled flows over the last four or so months. As the days get cooler and shorter, fish will be packing on condition in preparation for spawning, and although some rivers close from the end of April, there are plenty of spots with extended seasons, or that are open year-round.

Check out the up-to-date data on rainfall and river flows. 

Waiwhakaiho River at Audrey Gale Reserve (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Waimarino region.

Showers are on the way for the Waimarino with heavier falls forecast to hit before the weekend arrives. Although the weather may temporarily prevent anglers from getting out for a cast, fishing the window after a series of freshes can be very productive. To keep an eye on flow levels in the Waimarino, check here. Even though the end of the main fishing season is rapidly approaching, those fishing the Waimarino still have plenty of year-round water to fish, including Sattler’s dam which was recently stocked with rainbows.

The Mangawhero River at SH4 this morning (Photo: Horizons).

 

Photo Competition - Winner for 2024-25! 

Gus Solomon is the winner of our 2024-25 photo competition, with a $300 voucher heading his way generously sponsored by Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing.

Gus caught and released this absolutely sensational lower North Island brown, which pulled the scales to 8lb. A magnificent fish in anyone's book! 

Thanks to the all the anglers who entered the competition this year. We literally received hundreds of entries and it was a tough ask to select a winner after a stunning season and some epic fish being caught. 

We'll be back with the competition next season - catch you then.     

 

Check, Clean Dry - Help Protect Waterways

Now is the perfect time to familiarise yourselves with the NEW North Island Check Clean Dry procedures. Click here to watch. 

 

Noticeboard

• Wellington Region River Works: Don't let bulldozers in the river ruin your fishing plans. Click here to download a schedule of Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest planned river engineering works.
• Manawatu Flood and Drainage Works: Anglers can access Horizons Regional Council's latest schedule of flood and drainage river works here.   
• Access to Lake Namunamu, near Hunterville, is closed as the access road is upgraded in preparation for the logging of Ngaruru Forest over the next three to five years.

*This report was accurate at time of writing. For your safety, please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.